The Mythbusters are testing a story from World War 2, which says that airman Staff Sargent Alan Magee survived a 22,000-foot fall by crashing through a train station at precisely the time a bomb went off. Kari, Grant, and Tory also test whether or not money is saved when turning off lights when you are not in a room. Science topics discussed are terminal velocity, vectors, fluid friction, density, shock waves, electricity, power conservation, steady state usage, power consumption, LED, CFL, fluorescent tube, incandescent bulb, halogen, and bulb longevity.

The Mythbusters are determining if an airplane can take off from a moving conveyor belt. Tory, Kari, and Grant are also testing to see how well cockroaches and other insects can survive nuclear radiation. Science topics explored include relative motion, lift, thrust, radiation, genetic mutation, rads, radiation exposure, animal experimentation, bioethics, and radiation dosage.

The Mythbuster team tests anti-gravity deceives bought off the internet to see if they really work, and then attempt to see if vodka can treat a jellyfish sting. Meanwhile, Adam and Jamie will test the myth that too many lights on a Christmas tree can start a fire. Scientific principles mentioned include Newton’s Law of Gravity, gravitational fields, magnetic fields, electric fields, magnetic levitation, rotational inertia, Biefeld Brown lifter, series and parallel circuits, short circuits, ignition point, infrared energy, air ionization, thrust, vacuum chambers, and neurotoxins.

Grant, Tory, and Kari test the myth that if you blow your own sail, you can move forward. Adam and Jamie explore the world of movie sounds to test if what you hear in the theaters resembles anything you hear in reality. Scientific principles alluded to include Newton’s First Law of Motion, objects in motion stay in motion, objects at rest remain at rest, Newton’s Second Law of Motion, F = MA, internal forces, external forces, force cancellation, net force, and free body diagrams.

The Mythbuster team explores the story that people are crossing the US border via slingshot method. Some of the physics concepts alluded to include projectile motion, launch degrees, use of the SI units of measurements, impulse, Newtons Laws of Motion, consistent testing conditions, force, mass, distance, acceleration, potential energy, kinetic energy, elasticity, g forces, center of balance, center of gravity, parabolic trajectory, and parabolic arcs.

Jamie and Adam explore the story that an ultra-low frequency note will make a person lose bowel control. They also test to see if the force of a bullet is enough to knock a person backwards like in the movies. Finally, Kari, Tory, and Grant investigate if Chinese water torture is effective. Scientific topics addressed include Newton’s Third Law of Motion, equal and opposite reactions, mass and inertia, speed and mass, impact force, energy dissipation, low frequency sound waves, infrasound, hertz, frequencies, biological responses, mental confusion, decibels, psychological stresses, and human ethics.

Jamie and Adam test the myth that a bullet fired straight up into the air will fall back to earth with deadly consequences. The rest of the team tests various vodka myths to see if it can act as a cure for poison oak, function as an adhesive bandage remover, and if it can be filtered into a top-shelf product. Scientific concepts discussed include ballistic trajectories, terminal velocity, rotational spin during flight, aerodynamic stability, projectile launch angles, impact analysis, impact forces, bullet flight variables, urushiol oil, biological irritants, experimental controls, chemical reactions, gas chromatography, qualitative analysis, and quantitative analysis.

Jamie and Adam test the myth that during a hurricane, a straw can have enough kinetic energy to go through a palm tree. The rest of the Mythbuster team attempts to prove the myth that plants and animals are interconnected through unseen psychic forces. Concepts discussed are wind speed, Fujita scale, velocity and mass relationships, kinetic energy, air pressure, barrel length and impulse time, tree trunk density, polygraph results, using baseline data, interpreting data, controlled variables, voltage measurements, false positives, and the repeatability of results.

Jamie and Adam attempt to isolate the key ingredients to get to the bottom of the Mentos mystery. Kari, Tory, and Grant test the myth that placing a postage stamp on a helicopter blade will cause a massive imbalance in the rotors. Some of the scientific concepts include nucleation, carbonation, chemical reactions, pressure, variable isolation, the cascade effect, surface area, surface pitting, thrust vectoring, center of gravity, center of mass, blade deflection, lateral motion, gas density, air and gas ignition ratios, and combustion ratios.

Jamie and Adam look into the myth that Nikola Tesla invented an earthquake machine that almost destroyed his research building. Tory, Grant, and Kari look into the myth of the exploding lava lamp and if other containers can explode with deadly consequences. Science concepts discussed include resonance, resonance frequency, feedback, feedback loops, oscillations, wave frequency, energy, wave superposition, kinetic energy, thermal energy, pressure and temperature relationships, the rapid cooling of heated surfaces, and structural integrity.

The Mythbuster team investigates the claim that with just a few household parts, anyone can make a device that floats above the ground (a hovercraft). Adam and Jamie explore the myth that by jumping up at the last second, you can survive a catastrophic elevator fall. Science concepts include relative motion, pull of gravity, falling bodies, free fall, air pressure, center of gravity, acceleration due to gravity, friction, and drag. The following DVD sets are identical. They both contain the episode.

The Mythbuster team examines the story that a heated jawbreaker could turn into an explosive bomb. They also examine whether a PVC pipe can hold enough electrical charge to kill a person. Finally, they test the myth that a common playing card could be used as a deadly weapon. Scientific concepts discussed include differential heating, energy absorption, pressure differentials, bite force, static charge build up, static discharge, friction, conductivity, insulation, grounding, Van de Graaff generators, electric fields, negative charges, electrons, humidity, flight aerodynamics, and rotational spin. The episode is available on either of the following DVD sets. They are identical.

The Mythbusters test to see if the right type of cleaning chemicals can turn a toilet into a bomb. Then they set out to test the physics classic about how you can stay drier in the rain, by walking or running. Finally, they investigate the magic bullet mystery, trying to find out if a bullet made of ice can be deadly. Science topics discussed include combustion, air and fuel ratios, experimental controls, terminal velocity, Newton’s Third Law of Motion, melting point, action and reaction forces, and nerve agents.

This is a great Mythbusters to show around winter time, when everybody seems to be getting sick. The Mythbusters test whether a sneeze can really fly at 100 miles per hour and then show just how far nasal secretions can spread through casual contact. In this episode, Kari, Grant, and Tory investigate if flying glass can decapitate a head in a tornado. Science topics discussed are germ theory, nasal secretion output, nasal irritants, viral contamination, personal hygiene, viral replication, kinetic energy, the kinetic energy equation, mass, velocity, and the Fujita Scale.

The Mythbusters set out to test whether the legend of Ben Franklin getting hit by lightning in an electrical storm is true. Adam and Jamie then explore various myth about flatulence including a detailed look at the composition of flatulence and whether it can kill a person in his sleep through asphyxiation, if certain foods increase flatulence production, and if lighting a match will burn up the smelly gasses or if it just masks them. Scientific topics covered in the episode are electrical resistance, electrical conductivity, static charge, static build up, electrical discharge, voltage, Van de Graaff generators, electrical fields, asphyxiation, chemical reactions, carbon dioxide poisoning, and procuring good baseline data.

This is a great episode to show right before holiday break. The Mythbusters build a holiday-themed Rube Goldberg Machine, designed to make the simplest task as complicated as possible. The rest of the team tackles other holiday related myths including which chemicals help keep the needles on a tree the longest, if a frozen turkey dropped on a pet will kill it, and if the energy coming from a radio antenna can cook a turkey. Science topics include simple machines, Rube Goldberg machine, chemical interactions, uniform controls, force, mass, acceleration, skeletal analogs, bone tensile strength, radio waves, water molecules, and microwaves.

The Mythbusters first test to find out if a bullet fired or a bullet dropped hits the ground first, then examine the myth that a sufficient punch can knock a person out of their socks. This classic experiment is typically described in all physics textbooks, when the independent nature of the X and Y axis is discussed. Topics of importance include independent axis, gravitational pull, velocity, drop height, engineering practices, valid vs. invalid results, uncontrolled variables, inertia and mass relationships, potential energy and kinetic energy, controlled variables, friction, and pressure waves.

The Mythbusters set out to examine the interactions between the sexes in a series of experiments. They utilize the Stroop Effect to see if people get dumber when around others they are attracted to, test if there is a correlation between tips a waitress receives and her breast size, examine the effects of pheromones, and find out if gentlemen prefer blondes. Science topics include evolutionary psychology, intelligence, base line data, environmental testing conditions, body language, the subconscious, variable manipulation, cognitive impairment, and pheromones.

Adam and Jaimie first test to see if a lead balloon can really fly, then Kari, Tory, and Grant set out to find if it is possible to surf a wave made from exploding dynamite. Science topics include structural integrity, proof-of-concept, experimental design, gas density, volume vs. surface area ratio, static charge build-up, lift, volume calculations, wave frequency, wave amplitude, shockwave effects on biological systems, and wave expansion vs. energy dissipation.

The Mythbusters examine whether a tongue piercing will attract lightning during a storm, see if a handmade medieval cannon could explode with deadly consequences, and test if there is any way to beat the breathalyzer test. Topics of interest include electrical conductivity, electrical fields, electrical engineering, experimental controls, manipulating experimental design variables, metal contraction, Newton’s Third Law of Motion, a discussion of the relationship between mass, force, and acceleration, Newton’s Second Law of Motion, alcohol metabolism, and public safety.

The Mythbusters test the ancient myth that the Chinese put a man into space in the 15th century. Jamie and Adam also attempt to verify if there is anything as free energy. Grant, Kari, and Tory investigate whether a spinning ceiling fan can act as a decapitation machine. Science topics include the Law of Conservation of Energy, structural integrity, Newton’s Third Law of Motion, equal and opposite reactions, thrust, forces, flight stability, thrust vectoring, exhaust gas pressure, perpetual motion machines, phase changes, density, internal and external energy sources, center of mass, animal and human analogs, and rotational inertia. The episode can be found on either of the following DVD sets (they are identical).

The Mythbusters test a cornucopia of myths. First, they examine if a bullet can light a match. Next, they see if ear wax can be used to construct a candle. They also explore the myth that if a person has a hand in water, they will wet themselves. Adam and Jamie explore the Leidenfrost effect. Finally, they set out to examine a Star Trek classic, when Captain Kirk uses a homemade cannon to kill a Gorn. Science topic addressed include chemical reactions, friction, activation energy, combustible hydrocarbons, brain waves, sleep apnea, gunpowder, Newton’s Third Law of Motion, projectile motion, Leidenfrost effect, chemical energy, and kinetic energy.

Adam and Jamie apply Newton’s Third Law to see if two objects heading towards each other at 50 mph have the same kinetic energy as one car travelling into a wall at 100 mph. The rest of the team explores the numerous variables involved when attempting to knock someone out of their socks. Scientific concepts include Newton’s Third Law, kinetic energy, mass, velocity, impact force, momentum, relative motion, acceleration, g-loads, transverse momentum, impact energy distribution, elastic and inelastic collisions, friction, and inertia.

Adam and Jamie are examining the myth that wrecking balls can be used to make a Newton’s Cradle. Grant, Kari, and Tory are also testing to see whether a bird perched on a teetering car can cause it to fall over the edge. Scientific concepts include energy transfer, Newton’s Third Law, equal and opposite reactions, energy efficiency, surface deformation, elastic and inelastic collisions, potential and kinetic energy, pendulum motion, trophic levels, biology, predator prey relationships, energy flow, food webs, type 1 lever, fulcrum, pivot points, lever arms, and torque.

Adam and Jamie see if a last-minute change of venue foiled the World War 2 assassination attempt on Adolph Hitler. Kari, Grant, and Tory find out if you really can slap some sense into a person. Scientific topics discussed include sound waves, sound wave reflection, wave convergence, pressure waves, wave energy, fight or flight response, Newton’s Third Law of Motion, equal and opposite reactions, base line data, hypothermia, mental acuity, mental impairment, sleep deprivation, hunger, and pressure transducer.

Adam and Jamie explore the myth that a penny thrown off the Empire State Building can kill someone. They also explore microwave myths concerning cooking your organs from too much tanning and investigate the myth of exploding water in the microwave. Finally, they examine the possibility that Lucille Ball was able to pick up radio signals through her dental fillings. Scientific concepts discussed include terminal velocity, wind tunnel testing, updrafts, net forces, air resistance, drag, mass, acceleration, impact forces, radio waves, microwaves, ultraviolet waves, water impurities, distilled water, boiling point, super-heated water, Faraday cages, point contact diode, and electrical current generation.

Adam and Jamie test the classic myth about seeing if any amount of force can separate two phone books when the pages are interwoven. Tory, Grant, and Kari team up to investigate a movie scene with explosions, harpoons, and sharks! Science topics discussed include static friction, kinetic friction, forces, small scale testing, Newton’s Third law of Motion, equal and opposite reactions, tension, chemical reactions, projectile motion, projectile accuracy, shock waves, energy dissipation, and organ trauma.

Adam and Jamie take on a challenge from President Obama: is it possible to set a ship on fire using the power of the sun? Kari, Tory, and Grant see if it is possible to punch a car hard enough to get it to flip over! Science topics include Archimedes, parabolic mirrors, thermal energy, ignition points, reflectivity, light rays, aiming sights, levers, fulcrum, type 1 lever, pivot point, lever arms, torque, speed, mass, center of gravity, momentum, W = FD, and forward linear momentum.

The Mythbusters attempt to construct a subwoofer with enough power to shatter the windows in a car. This is a great episode for exploring low-frequency sound and their effects. Kari, Grant, and Tory explore the myth that driving faster over bumps makes them less intense. Here, they also make a distinction between quantitative and qualitative data. Scientific concepts include sound waves, amplitude, frequency, hertz, decibels, pressure waves, decibel scale, sound amplification, rubber diaphragms, sound wave oscillation, suspension deflection, and qualitative vs. quantitative data comparisons.

Adam and Jamie explore the myth that a renegade airplane propeller shredded the fuselage of another aircraft on a runway. The rest of the team experiments with various ways to start a fire without matches. This myth explores survival tactics for making fire including rubbing two sticks together, using a parabolic lens to focus the sun’s rays, using a bullet to start a fire, igniting steel wool with a battery, and using ice as a solar lens. Scientific concepts include photo analysis, scale testing, mathematical analysis of scale, friction, ignition point, surface area and oxygen availability, concave lens, convex lens, surface irregularities, focal points, electrical energy, and thermal energy.

Adam and Jamie test various means that spies use to escape their pursuers in the movies. These include the testing of road spikes, oil slicks, and smoke screens. Kari, Grant, and Tory fire a soccer ball out of the back of a moving truck to try and create the illusion that it falls straight down. This is relative motion at its finest! Scientific concepts include low pressure zones, low frictional coefficients, vector addition, net forces, vector cancellation, zero net forces, relative motion, energy cancellation, and calibration testing.

Adam and Jamie test the myth that wearing steel toed boots can actually cause toes to become amputated. This is a great segment showing the importance of safety shoes. Kari, Tory, and Grant test the myth that a person can become airborne with soda bottles strapped to their backs. This myth demonstrates the difficulty of engineering solutions and the application of Newton’s Third Law of Motion. The science topics mentioned include force, pressure, structural rigidity, structural integrity, human skeletal analogs, Newton’s Third Law, equal and opposite reactions, air pressure, thrust, water to air ratios, PSI, space shuttle Challenger disaster, and o ring failure.

Adam and Jamie test the classic myth of pulling a tablecloth out from underneath dinnerware. This is the perfect episode to demonstrate Newton’s First Law of Motion, the Law of Inertia: An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion, unless acted upon by an outside force. Meanwhile, Tory, Grant, and Kari test the myth that we use only 10% of our brain. Science concepts discussed include Newton’s First Law of Motion, Law of Inertia, static friction, inertia, momentum, mass relationships, small scale testing, frictional coefficients, material selection criteria, electroencephalograms, EEGs, brain lobes and functions, parietal lobes, frontal cortex, occipital lobe, magnetoelectroencephalograph, MEGs, functional magnetic resonance imagining, FMRIs, and comparative base line data.

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